Recent events have highlighted a disturbing trend in the functioning of India’s governmental systems. From the national dimension of irregularities in NEET, exposed by an IAS trainee, to the resignation of the UPSC Chairman for personal reasons, and the catastrophic bridge collapse before its inauguration, there is an evident pattern of dysfunction. Adding to this, a train accident and the tragic case of an undertrial prisoner being acquitted after spending years in jail without trial reveal deep-seated issues within the system.
The education sector is not immune to this systemic paralysis. Alarming statistics indicate that more than 100,000 children in class two do not know simple addition and subtraction. In many government schools, students reach up to class five without mastering basic skills. This glaring incompetence raises questions about the effectiveness of state governance.
While the same system showcased remarkable efficiency by vaccinating the entire country against COVID-19 in a mission mode, it becomes highly ineffective in regular and normal functioning. This inconsistency is perhaps due to the employees. India has only 16 government employees (both Centre and State) per 1000 population, the lowest compared to other major developing and developed countries. Brazil has 111, China 57, and the US 77 per 1000 population.
Government employees in India, despite having better pay, allowances, and benefits than the private sector, often fail to deliver expected outcomes. Their salaries are 7.2 times the per capita GDP, compared to four and a half times in OECD countries. Studies have shown that government school teachers, despite earning five times more than private school teachers, underperform in both attendance and teaching outcomes.
This scenario calls for a reevaluation of our approach to governance. Instead of raising ‘white elephants’ within the state framework, there is a pressing need for hardworking and dedicated personnel who can drive systemic improvements and ensure consistent, effective functioning. Only then can we hope to overcome this crisis and build a robust and reliable governance system.